Shine Bright
thank you East Coast!
(sound check snippet of Even with the Light on from Sunday at the Ellis in Newburgh, NY)
Being on the road sharing The Seventh Gate has been a dream come true. I am so sad that this leg of tour is over, and so grateful to you all for continuing to listen to the music, showering me with messages of its impact. So far, the consensus seems to be that The Body is the audience favorite in the live set. Do you agree? Let me know!
The Seventh Gate is about shedding old narratives of the past. It seems only fitting that I am STILL shedding layers as a result of the live component of this project. Namely the need to feel in control.
Let me just take out my tiny indie artist violin for a tiny moment: I am often the tour manager, promoter, scheduler, sound technician, ticket taker, merch person and general point person in addition to artist. Most of these jobs are things I am unqualified for, and they all have laundry lists of details to fret over, if I so choose.
Putting the violin away…because I have consciously made the decision to use this experience as a lesson for myself in maintaining peace despite the external tornado of circumstance. You all are my guiding light. Prioritizing your experience has become the thing that keeps me sane.
It is very tempting to dive into perceived chaos- because if I distract myself with all the little details — schedules, drum kit pick ups, micromanaging people’s emotions— I don’t have to feel the vulnerability of trusting this music to find the spaces that need it. Trusting you all to hold me, and the project - to share it if it feels right. If I am freaked out, I am not able to become aware of the tenderness- which in a weird way, feels safer. But that hides my light. The tenderness can be overwhelming. And beautiful. It gives me something to lose. So a part of me wants to avoid it at all costs.
So I am working hard at, and failing regularly at, giving up all striving, despite all the work required of me. It’s really challenging because I care so deeply about this music and about all of you, so that part of my brain that really wants to connect loves to take over and “work hard”. But the wiser part of me trusts that letting go, and letting you in - for real- is the way. Scary….but so far, I land gently every time. Which makes me brave enough to keep going.
Are there things you grip to because you feel a need to prove yourself? What do you do to let them go? I’d love ideas and support!
All this to say - thank you for giving me purpose. For singing with me. For listening. For being the kind of people that hold space so I can be me and you can be you. <3
I can’t wait to plan the next full band tour to keep it going.
NEW ONLINE MEDITATION STARTS 4/22!
Unstruck Sound Circle is gathering again to burst into spring with another online meditation intensive. Maybe you’ve been struggling to commit to daily meditation, maybe you’ve been hiding your light or feeling down lately- this is a radically loving, accepting space that focuses on goddess culture and radical self-love!
We meet on zoom weekly for a bout an hour on Wednesdays at 8pm EST
If you can’t make it live, recordings are available. We stay in touch through the week on Discord.
This intensive we will focus on Lakshmi, the third chakra (confidence, self-esteem) and shining your light as brightly as you can.
Join here - but if you need financial assistance, please let me know. I want everyone who wants to participate to feel able.
Upcoming Events
4/16 FREE soundbath at Old First Church - 7th and Carroll in Park Slope 7pm
4/17 CRAFT PILATES soundbath 7pm
4/25 The Seventh Gate Soundbath Duo version at WIP in Brooklyn 8pm
5/2 Bode NYC FLATIRON Soundbath 7pm
Merch!!!
On the road, we ran out of so many sizes! But there is good news, you can support the tenderness revolution online! Just order from the website.
MJ, an incredible artist, photographer, videographer, crystal collector sporting the “hold me closer” crew neck
Winston, expert snuggler, wildly loud barker and swimmer cuddled up in the “im a handful” crewneck.
Thank you so much for your love and support. If you purchased merch, please send me a photo so I can uplift you!
Love,
Elly